Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections in schoolchildren in north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2016 Jul;110(7):424-6. doi: 10.1093/trstmh/trw040.

Abstract

Background: There is a paucity of epidemiological data pertaining to schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in the north-eastern part of DRC enrolling 400 schoolchildren aged 9-14 years. Stool and urine samples were subjected to standard diagnostic methods and examined under a microscope for helminth eggs.

Results: Four out of five children were infected with at least one helminth species. Schistosoma mansoni was the predominant species (57.8%). Urine examinations were all negative for S. haematobium.

Conclusions: S. mansoni and STH infections are highly endemic in the surveyed part of the DRC, calling for interventions in school-aged children.

Keywords: Cross-sectional survey; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Schistosomiasis; Soil-transmitted helminthiasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo / epidemiology
  • Feces
  • Female
  • Helminthiasis / epidemiology*
  • Helminthiasis / transmission
  • Helminths*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Ovum
  • Prevalence
  • Schistosoma haematobium
  • Schistosoma mansoni*
  • Schistosomiasis / epidemiology*
  • Soil*
  • Urine

Substances

  • Soil